Need Help? Start Here! One of the best free resources available to small business owners is the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Answer Desk. 📞 SBA Answer Desk: 1-800-827-5722 The SBA Answer Desk can assist with general questions about: ✅ Starting a business ✅ Growing your business ✅ SBA loan programs ✅ SBA certifications ✅ Finding your local SBA District Office ✅ Government contracting resources ✅ Small business training and educational programs ✅ Referrals to SBA resource partners such as SCORE, Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), and Women's Business Centers https://www.sba.gov/sba-newsroom/#featured If they can't answer your question directly, they can connect you with the appropriate SBA office or resource. The Answer Desk is available for general small business inquiries Monday through Friday during normal business hours (Eastern Time).

One of the biggest mistakes I see people make is focusing only on federal opportunities while overlooking the contracts that are right in their own backyard. Don't forget about your: ✅ City governments ✅ County agencies ✅ School districts ✅ Community colleges ✅ Water districts ✅ Housing authorities ✅ Transportation agencies ✅ Public hospitals ✅ Special districts These organizations purchase products and services every day, and many contracts receive far fewer bids than large federal opportunities. 🎯 Sometimes the "low-hanging fruit" is local. While you're searching this week, ask yourself: - What does my city buy? - What does my county outsource? - Which departments need the services or products I already provide? - Who can I introduce my business to before the next solicitation is released? Remember, government contracting is about building relationships and positioning your business—not just chasing bids. 💪 Here at CFS, we're working behind the scenes to strengthen our systems, build strategic partnerships, and create better workflows so we're ready when opportunities arise. Every improvement we make today helps us compete more effectively tomorrow. 📢 I'd love to hear from you! Share one local agency or opportunity you're researching this week. You never know—you might help another member discover their next contract. Let's keep learning, keep growing, and keep taking action. One opportunity at a time. 🚀🌟

Many businesses wait until an RFP is posted, but by then the strongest competitors may already understand the agency, incumbent, budget and requirement. Federal forecasts, expiring contracts, Sources Sought and vendor-outreach sessions give you a chance to introduce your company early, find teaming partners and help the agency see that capable small businesses exist. Today’s action: Pick one target agency, locate its small-business office, send a focused capability statement and ask one clear question: “What upcoming requirement should a company with our capabilities begin preparing for now?” Research note: Deadlines and notice status can change through amendments. Open each procurement record and verify the current solicitation documents before making a bid decision.